When Grabban hit his second from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time it looked like the Black Cats’ fortunes were finally turning – but late goals from Florian Jozefzoon and Neal Maupay earned the Bees a point.

Bottom club Bolton were denied a second straight win as Idrissa Sylla’s 78th minute strike salvaged a 1-1 draw for Queen’s Park Rangers at the Macron Stadium.

The hosts, fresh from last week’s morale-boosting win over Sheffield Wednesday, had led through Darren Pratley’s 22nd minute header.